A Cracking Christmas Lights Switch-on Event

Shrewsbury’s festive season is set to start with a bang as the town’s popular Christmas Cracker event returns later this month.

Organised by Shrewsbury Town Council, the big lights switch-on starts from 5.30pm on Wednesday, November 23 in the Square.

The evening of fun begins with local theatre group KG Theatre kicking off proceedings with a range of songs on the main stage, followed by cast members of Theatre Severn’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast talking with BBC Radio Shropshire’s Jim Hawkins. Porthywaen Band and Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir will take to the stage before that all-important official countdown from 6.25pm.

The event also marks the start of late-night shopping and the switch-on of the Christmas lights display.

Switching on the lights this year will be the Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Elisabeth Roberts.

And to add to the fun on the night, Santa and his sleigh will be on Pride Hill all evening, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Shrewsbury.

Shrewsbury’s Shopping Centres will be open until 9pm and the Market Hall will stay open until 8pm. Shoppers who buy from one of the market’s retailers early on the night will also receive a voucher for a complimentary glass of mulled wine and homemade mince pie, served between 5pm and 6pm, while stocks last.

The evening will also see the return of the Darwin Centre’s spectacular giant reindeer Shrewdolph, which will have its very own switch-on to coincide with the Square countdown at 6.30pm.

Mayor of Shrewsbury, Councillor Elisabeth Roberts, said: “I’m looking forward to the programme of events scheduled to celebrate the launch of the town’s annual Christmas lights display, with free family entertainment, and the all-important start of late-night shopping in the run-up to Christmas. I would love to see as many people as possible in the town for what promises to be a fun-filled evening in Shrewsbury”.

ENDS/

Published: 08 November 2022